Bullet Point Bible - Revelation 22

The River and Tree of Life

¹ Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life-water as clear as crystal-pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb,² flowing down the middle of the city's main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations.³ And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him,⁴ and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.⁵ Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

This section concludes the description of the New Jerusalem begun in chapter 21.
The "river of the water of life" symbolizes eternal life flowing directly from God's presence (the throne of God and the Lamb). Compare Ezekiel 47:1-12, Zechariah 14:8.
The imagery evokes the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9-10), signifying a return to and perfection of God's original creation intent.
The "tree of life," inaccessible after the Fall (Genesis 3:22-24), is now freely available, symbolizing perpetual life and sustenance from God.
The "twelve kinds of fruit" and monthly yield suggest continuous abundance and provision.
"Healing of the nations" likely refers to the restoration of wholeness and peace among all peoples within God's eternal kingdom, not medicinal healing in the earthly sense.
The removal of the "curse" (Genesis 3:14-19) signifies the complete reversal of sin's effects.
Direct, unmediated presence with God ("see his face") is the ultimate blessing, fulfilling desires expressed throughout scripture (e.g., Psalm 42:2).
Having God's "name on their foreheads" indicates divine ownership, protection, and intimacy (cf. Revelation 7:3, 14:1).
The absence of night and need for created light sources emphasizes God himself as the all-sufficient light (cf. Revelation 21:23).
Believers will not just dwell but "reign forever and ever," sharing in Christ's eternal rule.

Authenticity and Worship

⁶ Then the angel said to me, "These words are reliable and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon."⁷ (Look ! I am coming soon!⁷ Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them, I threw myself down to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me.⁹ But he said to me, "Do not do this! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who obey the words of this book. Worship God!"

The angel affirms the divine origin and reliability of the entire prophetic message John has received.
"What must soon take place" emphasizes the prophetic certainty and imminent expectation of these end-time events from the perspective of the first readers.
Verse 7 contains a direct statement from Jesus (as indicated by context and parallel statements like Rev 3:11, 22:12, 22:20).
Jesus' promise "{{Look, I am coming soon!}}" is a central theme of Revelation, offering hope and urgency.
A beatitude (blessing) is pronounced on those who "keep" (obey, guard) the prophecy, highlighting the practical and ethical demands of the book.
John, overwhelmed by the vision, repeats his earlier mistake of attempting to worship the angel (Revelation 19:10).
The angel sharply rebukes John, clarifying his own status as a "fellow servant" alongside John, the prophets, and all believers.
The core command is reiterated: "Worship God!" This reinforces the absolute distinction between Creator and creature, a key theme in Revelation where false worship is rampant.
This incident underscores the danger of misdirected worship, even when prompted by genuine awe.

Imminence and Moral Divide

¹⁰ Then he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near.¹¹ The evildoer must continue to do evil, and the one who is morally filthy must continue to be filthy. The one who is righteous must continue to act righteously, and the one who is holy must continue to be holy."¹² (Look ! I am coming soon,¹² and my reward is with me to pay each one according to what he has done!¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega,¹³ the first and the last,¹³ the beginning and the end!)¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates.¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood!

Unlike Daniel's prophecy which was sealed for a future time (Daniel 12:4, 9), John's prophecy is to remain open because "the time is near."
Verse 11 is challenging; it likely describes the fixed moral state of individuals at the time of Christ's return, rather than commanding continued sin or righteousness. It emphasizes that the opportunity for change will end.
Jesus speaks again (vv. 12-13), reiterating his imminent return and role as judge, bringing rewards based on deeds (cf. Isaiah 40:10; 62:11; Romans 2:6).
Jesus' self-declaration as "{{the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end}}" asserts His eternal nature, sovereignty over history, and ultimate authority (cf. Revelation 1:8, 1:17, 21:6).
Another beatitude (v. 14) blesses those "who wash their robes" (a metaphor for receiving forgiveness and righteousness through Christ - cf. Revelation 7:14), granting them access to the tree of life and the city.
The list of those excluded ("Outside," v. 15) mirrors earlier lists (e.g., Revelation 21:8, 27) and describes character, not just isolated acts.
"Dogs" was a derogatory term often used by Jews for Gentiles or impure persons; here it likely refers metaphorically to the morally unclean or vicious.
The contrast between those inside and outside the city highlights the final, eternal separation based on one's relationship with Christ and resulting lifestyle.

Jesus' Self-Attestation and Invitation

¹⁶ "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star!"¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say: "Come!" And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.

Jesus personally authenticates the message delivered by the angel, emphasizing its relevance "for the churches."
"{{I am the root and the descendant of David}}" affirms Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies (Isaiah 11:1, 10), linking him to Israel's royal line yet also indicating his pre-existence as David's source ("root").
"{{The bright morning star}}" symbolizes hope, the dawn of a new day, and Jesus' ultimate victory over darkness (cf. Numbers 24:17; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 2:28).
The Holy Spirit and the "bride" (the Church) jointly issue the invitation "Come!" This could be an invitation to Christ to return, or an invitation to thirsty souls to come to Christ. Context suggests the latter is primarily intended here, flowing into the next lines.
The invitation is extended universally: "let the one who hears," "let the one who is thirsty," "let the one who wants it."
The "water of life" (referencing v. 1) is offered "free of charge," emphasizing salvation as a gift of God's grace (cf. Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10-14; 7:37).
This verse serves as one of the final gospel invitations in the Bible.

Warning Regarding the Prophecy

¹⁸ I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.¹⁹ And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

John issues a solemn warning, using the language of a legal witness ("I testify").
The warning applies specifically to "the words of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation), though the principle applies broadly to respecting Scripture's integrity (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6).
Adding to the prophecy incurs the judgment of the "plagues described in this book."
Subtracting from the prophecy results in forfeiture of the blessings described: the "tree of life" and the "holy city."
This underscores the divine authority and finality of the revelation given to John.
It warns against both supplementing God's Word with human traditions or false prophecies, and diminishing its authority or message through selective interpretation or omission.
The severity of the consequences highlights the importance God places on the accurate transmission and reception of His revealed will.

Final Affirmation and Closing

²⁰ The one who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

The book concludes by returning to the central promise: Jesus' imminent return.
"The one who testifies to these things" is Jesus himself (referencing v. 16).
Jesus' final words in the book are a reaffirmation: "{{Yes, I am coming soon.}}"
John responds on behalf of the church with "Amen" (So be it) and an earnest prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Aramaic: Maranatha - cf. 1 Corinthians 16:22).
This response expresses both belief in Christ's promise and longing for its fulfillment.
The final verse (v. 21) is a benediction, a prayer for God's grace upon the readers ("all" or in some manuscripts "the saints").
Grace (charis) encapsulates God's unmerited favor, enablement, and presence through Christ.
It is fitting that the Bible, which begins with creation and fall, ends with the promise of Christ's return, the final restoration, and the sufficiency of God's grace.

The Bullet Point Bible

Revelation 22